The document provides an overview of various educational apps suitable for 6-8th grade students, covering subjects like math and language arts, and evaluates them based on a rubric including criteria such as Common Core relevance, authenticity, and student motivation. Each app described, including Mathmateer, Multiplication Genius, and Grammar Jammers, is linked to specific learning standards and highlights their engaging features for enhancing student understanding and performance. It serves as a resource for educators to integrate technology into their teaching methodologies effectively.

1. THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT!
6-8TH GRADE EDUCATION APPS
Collaboration by:
Stacey Carmeans & Jennifer Carruth
Applied Technology: Module 5
Harding University
September 20, 2014

2. APPS FOR IOS & ANDROID
Slide 1: Title
Slide 2: App Index
Slide 3: Apps Rubric
Slide 4: Mathmateer - iOS
Slide 5: Multiplication Genius - iOS
Slide 6: Grammar Jammars - iOS
Slide 7: Grammar Express - iOS
Slide 8: School Science Glossary - iOS
Slide 9: SkySafari - iOS
Slide 10: Videolicious - iOS
Slide 11: Vocalyze – Android
Slide 12: Socratica - Android
Slide 13: Dropbox – Android

3. APPS RUBRIC
CC Relevant: The skills are reinforced and connected to the targeted skill or concept. Is relevant to the common core
standard/framework.
Authenticity: The skills are practiced in an authentic format/problem-based environment.
Feedback: Feedback is specific and results in improved students’ performance.
Differentiation: The app offers flexibility to alter settings to meet student needs.
Friendliness: Can students launch and navigate within the app independently?
Instructions: Are the instructions included helpful and the correct reading level for the student?
Higher Order Thinking: Does it provide the opportunity for higher order thinking?
Student Motivation: Are students motivated to use the app and select it to use often?

4. MATHMATEER – IOS APP
Mathmateer (Free): This game based math learning app is high-interest and skills based learning. Students love it
and learn rapidly. My colleague uses this great math app in his classroom. It has scaffolding and rigor that is helpful
in facts practice, buttressed with the high-interest game and money earning format, it allows for increased student
learning and increased test scores through skill mastery.
This app serves many of the K-6 Common Core State Standards, but here is one primary 3rd grade focus:
• Common Core Content Standards Connection:
• Operations and Algebraic Thinking 6.OA
Represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division.
• Interpret products of whole numbers, e.g., interpret 5 × 7 as the
total number of objects in 5 groups of 7 objects each, or 7
groups of 5 objects each. For example, describe a context in which a
total number of objects can be expressed as 5 × 7.
• Rubric: CC Relevant, Authenticity, Feedback, Differentiation, Friendliness, Instructions, Higher Order Thinking

5. MULTIPLICATION GENIUS – IOS APP
Multiplication Genius Lite (Free Lite: This multiplication flash-card based math app is high-interest and skills
based learning. Students enjoy the positive reinforcement based format and learn rapidly. I use it in my
classroom because it can be custom tailored to focus on specific multiplication facts. This app serves many of the
K-6 Common Core State Standards, but here is one primary 6th grade focus:
• Common Core Content Standards Connection:
Operations and Algebraic Thinking 3.OA
• Represent and solve problems involving multiplication and
division.
• Interpret products of whole numbers, e.g., interpret 5 × 7 as
the total number of objects in 5 groups of 7 objects each, or 7
groups of 5 objects each. For example, describe a context in
which a total number of objects can be expressed as 5 × 7.
• Rubric: CC Relevant, Authenticity, Feedback, Differentiation, Friendliness, Instructions, Higher Order Thinking

6. GRAMMAR JAMMERS – IOS APP
Grammar Jammers: This app teaches about the language arts subjects of adjectives, contractions, nouns, pronouns,
punctuation, sentences and verbs in a game-based format. It is a fun, high-interest way to get students focused on these
important grammar concepts. Elementary and middle school editions available.
• Common Core Content Standards ELA Connection:
Conventions of Standard English
• Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard
English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
Explain the function of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives,
and adverbs in general and their functions in particular sentences.
• Rubric: CC Relevant, Authenticity, Feedback, Differentiation, Friendliness, Instructions, Higher Order Thinking

7. GRAMMAR EXPRESS:
PARTS OF SPEECH – IOS APP
Grammar Express: Parts of Speech (free) this app teaches about the language arts subjects of adjectives, conjunctions,
nouns, pronouns and verbs. It offers lessons where students read about a concept or reading passage. Focused on the
passage is a mock test mode, test mode with an adjustable number of questions, and progress bar toward mastery. It is
not quite as much fun as other learning apps, but can still be a high-interest way to get students focused on the parts of
speech. I liked the testing and progress tracking accountability. It has a good correlation with Common Core Content
Standards.
• Common Core Content Standards ELA Connection
(Arkansas 8th grade):
Conventions of Standard English
• Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English
grammar and usage when writing or speaking. Explain the function
of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in general and
their functions in particular sentences.
• Rubric: CC Relevant, Authenticity, Feedback, Differentiation, Friendliness, Instructions, Higher Order Thinking

8. SCHOOL SCIENCE GLOSSARY
School Science Glossary: Science educators will love this new free app! It was created by GCSE and
has some AMAZING graphics that will fascinate your students. It is a large, globally focused
application that has a great deal of content on many subjects related to the topic of science. Listen
to the definition, illustrated terms, bookmark & search for words & phrases quickly.
• This application can serve many of the key K-8 Common Core State Standards, and
Common Core Science Standards but focused on ELA skills that support reading complex
text.
• Rubric: CC Relevant, Authenticity, Feedback, Differentiation, Friendliness, Instructions, Higher
Order Thinking

9. SKYSAFARI 4 – IOS APP
SkySafari 4: This is a great new version of a constellation locating application for the iOS! This app allows you to locate
stars, nebula, planets and galaxies that are visible in the night sky. It uses GPS technology show you what is currently
visible in your area, and through Sky and Telescope Magazine, helps you know what is coming to the night sky in the future.
• This application is excellent for getting students focused on astronomy. Homework based
discussions can be initiated on astronomical topics in class and written research and
observations can be recorded to support key K-8 Common Core State Standards of ELA,
social science and science topics. Depending how you use this app, it can incorporate
many of the key K-8 Common Core State Standards. This app can be a great spring board for
generating student research and writing on astronomical science topics.
• Rubric: CC Relevant, Authenticity, Feedback, Differentiation, Friendliness, Instructions, Higher Order Thinking

10. VIDEOLICIOUS – IOS APP
• Videolicious (Free!): If you are a video and digital image educator like myself, you might rate this one
number one, but regardless of your video skills, I think you'll love this new free app! This app allows you to
create short narrated videos, using stills or other video within your video. It would be perfect for student
created projects on topics from ELA, math, social science and science. The learning-based multi-media
applications for this app are virtually limitless in the classroom. Your teaching imagination is the key with
Videolicious digital media video creator.
• Depending how you use this app, it can support many of the key K-8 Common Core State
Technology Standards, but focused on ELA skills for reading complex text. This app can create
interesting videos in many formats, including HD, for all age levels through adult.
• Rubric: CC Relevant, Authenticity, Feedback, Differentiation, Friendliness, Instructions, Higher Order
Thinking

11. VOCALYZ –ANDROID APP
Vocalyz: - provides mobile news, tweets, blogs, and other written web content in an audio
format. Great app especially for those suffering from any reading impairment that prevents
them from reading content online.
• Common Core Content Standards English, Social Studies, Math & Science Connection
(Arkansas 6-8th grade):
• Rubric: CC Relevant, Authenticity, Feedback, Differentiation, Friendliness, Instructions,
Higher Order Thinking

12. SOCRATICA – ANDROID APP
• Socratica: - Android App that offering great web service that offers a wide range of educational apps.
it presently provides a collection of 23 educational apps for Android phones covering several
subjects such as the Periodic Table, Greek mythology, geography, art, arithmetic, architecture,
spelling, and more.
• Common Core Content Standards English, Social Studies, Math & Science Connection (Arkansas 8th grade):
• Rubric: CC Relevant, Authenticity, Feedback, Differentiation, Friendliness, Instructions, Higher Order
Thinking

13. DROPBOX – ANDROID APP
Dropbox - allows users to bring together all their documents, files, photos, and videos anywhere.
• Common Core Content Standards English, Social Studies, Math & Science Connection (Arkansas
6-8th grade):
• Rubric:, Authenticity, Feedback, Friendliness, Instructions,

14. ALL APPS COURTESY OF APPLE & GOOGLE
There is an APP for That: Everything students, parents, and educators need
Rubric: CC Relevant, Authenticity, Feedback, Differentiation, Friendliness, Instructions, Higher Order Thinking